Students take notes on paper or digitally. Teachers and students shared their preferences, usage, willingness to switch, and thoughts on the advantages of each method in class.
Paper note-taking is still common in many classrooms. Writing by hand helps students remember lessons better because they must slow down and think about what they are writing instead of copying everything.
Many students say they usually take notes on paper during class. 8th grader Asmi Dasnam said writing in a notebook helps her stay focused.
“When I write it down, I remember it better,” Dasnam explained.
However, paper notes can cause problems in school. Notebooks can be lost in lockers or left behind in classrooms. It can also be difficult for students to keep papers organized for different subjects.
Digital notes are becoming more popular in schools that use laptops or tablets. Digital notes are easy to organize and store, so students can search for key words and easily format text which can be helpful during class.
Some students say they usually take notes digitally. Student Shaurya Choudhary explained that he uses Google Docs, where “everything stays in one place.” He added that he would consider switching to paper sometimes, especially for math and science when drawing diagrams or formulas.
Still, digital notes also have downsides in school. Screens can be distracting during lessons. Many teachers added that games and apps can pull students’ attention away from learning.
Ms. Dilonardo, an eight-grade ELA teacher at IMS, supports both note-taking methods. She believes each has its strengths and weaknesses.
“Paper helps students express their thoughts in the moment and is nice for planning, while digital notes help with neatness and organization,” Ms. Dilonardo said.
Ms. Dilonardo encourages her students to try both paper and digital notes by assigning unique assignments. Switching methods can help students learn what works best for them. She also partly explained that different subjects may need different tools.
In the end, paper and digital notes both have benefits in a school environment. Students and teachers agreed that there is no single best choice. As long as students are learning and staying focused in class, either method can be effective.
